In the Early Stage: How We Communicate with Clients Before Formal Collaboration
In today’s highly competitive consumer goods market—whether it’s fidget toys or holiday ornaments—the first impression of a product often comes not just from the product itself, but from its packaging and presentation. To create custom solutions that are both visually striking and functionally sound, deep communication before collaboration is essential.
At Findsa.net, we firmly believe: Great partnerships begin with precise understanding. In this article, we’ll walk you through our pre-collaboration communication process using two real project examples: fidget toy packaging and holiday ornament storage bags.
1. Clarifying Needs: From Vague Ideas to Concrete Specifications
Many clients reach out with only a general vision: “I want packaging that appeals to Gen Z” or “I need a bag that holds 48 ornaments.” While these ideas are a great starting point, they often lack technical feasibility.
Take the Storage Bag Design Brief as an example. The client initially provided four requirements:
- Bag dimensions: 48" (W) × 48" (H) × 24" (D)
- Each ornament: 8" in diameter
- Each compartment: 10" in size
- Total capacity: 48 ornaments
At first glance, this seemed reasonable—but we quickly realized these four conditions cannot coexist physically. Instead of proceeding blindly, we proactively presented three viable options, clearly outlining the trade-offs and risks of each:
- Option 1: Prioritize 48 compartments of 10" → Bag exceeds original size
- Option 2: Strictly adhere to bag dimensions → Compartments too shallow, poor stability
- Option 3: Match bag size to ornament size → Capacity jumps to 108 compartments, but structure becomes unstable
By surfacing constraints early and offering transparent choices, the client could make an informed decision based on real-world use—not assumptions.
Key Communication Principle: Don’t avoid contradictions—use data to clarify, and return decision-making power to the client.
2. Tiered Proposals: Matching Budgets and Brand Positioning
In the Fidget Toy Packaging Proposal, we faced another common scenario: a client wanted to elevate their product’s perceived value but wasn’t sure how much to invest in packaging.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, we offered a three-tier packaging strategy, aligned with different market positions:
| Positioning | Solution | Materials | Advantages | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | Clear PVC pouch + printed card | PVC + paper card | Low cost, product visibility, high-volume friendly | E-commerce fast-movers, promotional giveaways |
| Mid-Tier | Full-color printed box (fully or semi-open) | Kraft/wavy cardboard or coated paper | Strong branding, storytelling potential | Brick-and-mortar retail, gifting |
| Premium | Mood-driven packaging (acrylic/wood) | Wood, acrylic, etc. | Packaging becomes part of the product experience; high markup potential | Limited editions, designer collaborations |
Critically, we also highlighted potential risks for each option—e.g., standard paper boxes may crush during international shipping, or semi-open designs require internal reinforcement. This helps clients see not just the “wow,” but also the “how.”
Key Communication Principle: Offer scalable options so clients can align packaging with their brand stage—not just chase “premium.”
3. Flexible Onboarding: From “One-Sentence Idea” to Full-Ready Files
We understand not every client has in-house design capabilities. That’s why we support two entry paths:
- Client provides complete artwork → We move straight to sampling & production (customization fee waived for orders over 1,000 units)
- Client has only a concept (e.g., “I want a calming ocean vibe”) → Our in-house design team helps bring it to life (design fee applies)
This flexibility dramatically lowers the barrier for startups and small brands. As one client put it: “You’re not just a factory taking orders—you’re a partner willing to help us turn ideas into reality.”
Communication Isn’t a Cost—It’s the Foundation of Trust
At Findsa.net, we never treat pre-collaboration discussions as overhead. On the contrary, we see them as essential investments in long-term success. Whether it’s flagging logical conflicts in a brief or revealing hidden limitations in a design, our goal is always to protect our clients’ time, budget, and vision.
Every conversation before signing a contract is a brick in the foundation of a lasting partnership. And we believe that only collaborations built on clarity and shared goals can deliver products that are beautiful, functional, profitable, and sustainable.
If you’re looking for a partner who believes in “talk it through first, then build it right,” we’d love to hear from you. Let’s start with an honest conversation—and create something worth being proud of together.
This article is based on actual project documents from Findsa.net. All case details reflect real client engagements.